Black appointed pastor at Danville churchRev. Lloyd Black was appointed to the pastoral position at the Danville First Assembly of God located on State Highway 10 East on July 5. Brother Black and wife, Pat, are originally from Russellville. Reverend Black has taught in public education, college and seminaries. He is the author of numerous books and has traveled extensively around the world. He holds a doctorate with postgraduate work in Pentecostal studies. The two have worked toget...

Quilting for cancer patientsMost people are familiar with the idea of a security blanket or a safety blanket and how something so simple can be all it takes to make someone feel better. This is the idea the Russellville group, Stitch and Tie, has believed and used for several years. Stitch and Tie is a local group made up of volunteers from the West Side Church of Christ in Russellville. The group gives blankets and quilts to cancer patients who are undergoing chemothera...

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BY CAMERON TATE AND TRAVIS SIMPSONThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Cuba missionaryThirty-three preachers and church leaders attended and 15 completed the class for credit. The seminar is one of 16 in a four year curriculum that leads to a Certificate of Christian Ministry. 90 students have completed seminars for credit since CBI was established in 2010. Leaders of 25 house churches reported average weekly attendance of 380 and 51 baptisms during the past three months, Dr. Ott taught "Marriage and Family Life" at Mid-South C...

Church Briefs (July 24, 2015)‘To God Be the Glory’ on Sunday Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pastor Rita Richardson will present her annual gospel piano recital at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Richardson will perform unique arrangements of familiar spirituals, hymns, gospel and contemporary Christian music. The church is located at 224 S. Independence at the corner of West Second and South Independence. The recital is free and open to the public. A free will off...

Church Briefs (July 17, 2015)Food on the Mount offered Aug. 8 The Mount George Church of Christ will host a multi-church event at 9 a.m. on Aug. 8 at the Mout George Church of Christ at intersection of State Highways 28 and 154. Food on the Mount will provide groceries, school supplies, school haircuts, medical and dental checkups, lunch,games, horse and buggy rides, fire safety/fire truck tours and lots of other things to do. For more information or to volunteer, call 47...

Charmingly beautiful architectureIn the last few weeks, most churches in the country reflected on King David and his jubilation in bringing the Arc of the Covenant into the city. Watching David dancing without shame around the Arc disgusted Michal, his wife. Finally when the dust settled, David is upset that the Lord God does not have a permanent place while he himself lives in the palaces made of cedars. He is upset that the Lord God is in a makeshift tent and not in a beaut...

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By Father Josh TharakanThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Church Briefs (July 10, 2015)Guest speaker at Booger Hollow The Booger Hollow Tabernacle will have special guest speaker, Rev. Bob Harmon, at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the tabernacle, six miles north of Dover. For more information call 479-331-2256. Youth rally Saturday The Hector Church of Christ will host a God Bless America Youth Rally from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday at the Hector Church of Christ, 354 Oak Street in Hector. Pizza will be provided and guest speakers include Jeff...

Victory over temptationI am not sure I am ready to declare that temptation to evil is good but it is certainly clear that it is often used by God for good. Immediately following the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit sent Him into the wilderness for the express purpose of being tempted by Satan. Because Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy chapter eight during the temptations, and because both Israel and Jesus were in the wilderness during times of temptations, it seems tha...

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By Pastor Steve EllisonThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Church shooting site to re-open; FBI reviews manifestoCHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A small group of parishioners was allowed inside the bullet-scarred Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church on Saturday, getting a firsthand glimpse of the room where nine people from their congregation were slain. Meanwhile, the FBI said it was investigating a manifesto purportedly written by the suspected gunman, 21-year-old Dylann Roof. The website linked to Roof contained photos of him holding a burning American ...

Churches banding together for yearlong prayerOn the 64th annual National Day of Prayer — and every day the remainder of the year — local churches will band together in support of the city of Russellville. Headed by Connect Church, The Journey Church, Russellville First Assembly and First United Methodist Church, more than eight congregations have committed to praying every day for the city — specifically, its education, media, government, business, arts and entertainment, families, hunge...

We are to love one anotherIn John 13:34 Jesus says,”a new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” There is so much hate in this world and it causes violence, jealousy and other sinful things. How wonderful this world would be if everyone would love one another. We may not like the things that others do but we are still supposed to love their soul and be kind to them, just as Jesus doesn’t approve of ev...

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Barbara Ann Freeman TownsendThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Contrasting ideals: freedom, equalityThe most recent catch words in political discussion appear to be freedom and equality, as if contrasting ideals. Although those advocating one or the other would not want to give the impression that they are mutually exclusive. This, in turn, raises the question as to how these themes play out from a Christian perspective. Freedom first invites our attention. Initially, we recall God’s deliverance of his people from bondage. In context of the ...

Church briefs (May 1, 2015)Martin Chapel Assembly youth fundraiser Martin Chapel Assembly of God will host a youth fundraiser from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday. The sale will include furniture, clothes for everyone, home decorations, toys and much more. For more information, call (479) 970-4294. First United Methodist rummage sale First United Methodist Church in Dardanelle will host its semi-annual rummage sale today and Saturday in the church’s family life cent...

Church briefs (April 24, 2015)Oak Grove FWB yard sale begins today Oak Grove Freewill Baptist Church will host a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The sale will help raise money for school supplies. The church is located eight miles north of Atkins on State Highway 105. All Saints Spring Rummage Sale Saturday All Saints Episcopal Church of Russellville will host its annual Rummage Sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at 501 S. Phoenix ...

Keep, cherish, learn from memoriesIt was an honor and a privilege for my wife Charlotte and for I to march alongside young people with special needs, some of whom marched in their wheelchairs (not motorized scooters) on Sunday, April 19. We joined these young people and others in Russellville’s March of Remembrance, an event connected to Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah), also known as Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day. It was a day to remember the 11 millio...

Are all people saved through Christ?Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to be our rescuer, our mediator. As we noted last time, we are all by nature sinners, in rebellion against the God of heaven and earth, and Jesus Christ alone can deliver us from God’s wrath and return us to his favor. Indeed, the apostle Peter declared that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). That noted, are all p...

Church briefs (April 17, 2015)Doyle family asks for help The friends and family of Anthony Doyle Jr., who died unexpectedly on April 12 leaving behind a wife and two young daughters, are asking for donations for help with the funeral expenses. All donations would be appreciated and can be sent to the Anthony Doyle Jr. Funeral Fund at Lemley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 126, Atkins, AR 72823. For more information, call (479) 968-4033. Gospel Lighthouse Church of God singing The G...

Keeping your way pureIn Psalm 119:9-16 it asked the question, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in al...

Have you been baptized?I believe it is very important to be baptized after you have been saved. I’m not saying you won’t go to heaven if you are not baptized, for the thief on the cross was not baptized. But Jesus knew there was no way he could be because he had been nailed to the cross, and he was saved just by believing that Jesus was the son of God. Jesus set an example for us when he was baptized by John the Baptist. God was pleased with him, and he will be plea...

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Barbara Ann Freeman TownsendThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Church briefs (April 10, 2015)Indoor rummage sale at Pottsville Assembly An indoor rummage sale is scheduled for today and Saturday inside the gym at Pottsville Assembly of God. The sale will begin at 8 a.m. on both days. The sale will benefit the Royal Family Kids Camp for foster children. For more information, call (479) 747-0121. Four Square Gospel Church revival Four Square Gospel Church will continue its revival through Sunday with Rev. Norman Culverson and family spe...